Kia ora Jacob

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Jacob Williams <[FYI request #33785 email]>
Sent: Friday, 20 February 2026 2:45 pm
To: Official Correspondence <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Enquiry: Vehicle Regulatory
Framework Review, Light Quadricycle Classification

 

[You don't often get email from
[4][FYI request #33785 email]. Learn why this is
important at [5]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

 

Dear New Zealand Transport Agency,

 

Kia ora,

 

I am writing to the Ministry of Transport to raise a vehicle policy matter
and to ask to be connected with the appropriate team.

 

In April 2024, Waka Kotahi NZTA responded to an Official Information Act
request (OIA-15043) confirming that New Zealand has no defined vehicle
category for light quadricycles — vehicles such as the Fiat Topolino,
Citroën Ami, and Renault Twizy, which are road-legal across the European
Union under the L7e classification. The response also noted that a review
of NZTA's regulatory framework was expected to begin soon, with the scope
to include what vehicle classes should be accepted for registration in New
Zealand.

 

Nearly two years on, I am seeking an update from the Ministry on the
policy position regarding this issue. My questions are:

 

1. Is the Ministry of Transport aware of or involved in the vehicle
regulatory framework review referenced by NZTA in April 2024, and if so,
what is its current status?

2. Has the question of introducing a light quadricycle vehicle category —
equivalent to the EU's L7e classification — been considered at a policy
level by the Ministry?

3. If this has not yet been considered, would the Ministry be willing to
assess whether such a category is appropriate for New Zealand?

4. Is there a public or stakeholder consultation process planned in
connection with any vehicle classification review, and if so, how can I
participate?

 

I also wish to raise what I believe is a significant inconsistency in the
current regulatory approach as it relates to pedestrian safety — a matter
the Ministry has acknowledged as a priority.

 

I raise this not to argue against any particular vehicle type, but to ask
that any regulatory review of vehicle classification be conducted on a
consistent, evidence-based basis — and that the pedestrian safety argument
not be applied selectively to block smaller, lighter, slower vehicles
while larger ones face no equivalent scrutiny.

 

I would be grateful if you could direct this enquiry to the appropriate
policy team, and I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Jacob Williams

 

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